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Claiming the Courtesan

by Anna Campbell (Goodreads Author)

3.71 of 5 stars 3.71 · rating details · 1,307 ratings · 165 reviews

He would marry her and possess her in every way possible...

The Duke of Kylemore knows her as Soraya, London's most celebrated courtesan. Men fight duels to spend an hour in her company. And only he comes close to taming her. Flying in the face of society, he decides to make her his bride; then, she vanishes, seemingly into thin air.

Dire circumstances have forced Verity Ash...more

Mass Market Paperback, 375 pages

Published March 27th 2007 by Avon (first published January 1st 2007)

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Jul 25, 2010 UniquelyMoi *Dhestiny* BlithelyBookish rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Historical Romance Lovers

Shelves: 2010-reads, courtesan, author-anna-campbell, reviewed-by-me, top-couples-of-all-time, keepers, 5-stars, historical-romance, favorites, standalone, starts-with-a-thru-d

Updated to add that this review is chock full of spoilers - proceed at your own risk

My review:

Claiming The Courtesan is one of those novels that is subjective… open to interpretation. Each reader will react differently to certain events, perhaps drawing on their own life’s experiences and emotions. I am no different and this review will be a collection of my own thoughts.

I will start by saying that Anna Campbell did a brilliant job of allowing us a glimpse into Kylemore’s mind, not only as an ad...more

40 likes · like · see review

Feb 26, 2012 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: zz-2011, reviewed, sheep-tsunami, reviewed-snarky, trifecta-of-retard, zz-swapped-romance, reviewed-screenplay

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Let me preface this review by saying I appreciate what the author was trying to do. She took a risk with content & subject matter -- an eye-catching novelty in the overcrowded Regency shelves. The writing was ok & the sex language didn't make my eyes bleed. The foggy Scottish mansion was a great setting for a romance, & there was no cheesy-arse secondary love story to make me retch in a conveniently placed bucket.

But for all these positives, CLAIMING THE COURTESAN is a Fail. It's not...more

52 likes · like · see review

Oct 07, 2008 new_user added it Recommends it for: readers who can appreciate well-written emotion, even the darker kind

Shelves: historical

I could definitely see why some people find this book controversial. In fact, there is more than one rape scene in Courtesan, perpetrated by the hero upon the heroine-- and yes, she does fall in love with the hero. That goes without saying; the whole book hinges on this. However, that is only the basic plot.

The real bulk of the story deals with the characters' histories and emotional struggles. The hero, especially, suffers a lot of anguish, past and present, that motivates his actions. He is b...more

40 likes · like · see review

Mar 17, 2009 Eastofoz rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Readers looking for a "regency noir" captor/captive story

Shelves: favourites, historical-regency, dark-hero

Can you give 10 stars because this book is worth 10 big fat gold stars hands down! A phe-no-men-al read. Not only is it beautifully written (we’re talking as good if not better than Lisa Kleypas) it will have you up until 2am squirming out a “geeze, just one more page!” and you’ll find yourself still reading at 6am when the alarm goes off to go to work —yes it is that good! Campbell has a way of segueing from one chapter to the next that you can’t help but turn that page and read on.

The story is...more Can you give 10 stars because this book is worth 10 big fat gold stars hands down! A phe-no-men-al read. Not only is it beautifully written (we’re talking as good if not better than Lisa Kleypas) it will have you up until 2am squirming out a “geeze, just one more page!” and you’ll find yourself still reading at 6am when the alarm goes off to go to work —yes it is that good! Campbell has a way of segueing from one chapter to the next that you can’t help but turn that page and read on.

The story is really about a hunt at the beginning and then being saved by the most incredible kind of love imaginable. The Duke of Kylemore is a man to be reckoned with and nothing will stop this guy from getting (at first) revenge on the woman who has left him hanging high and dry –Soraya aka Verity, a mere courtesan. He is so deeply scarred emotionally that you can actually excuse what he does by the end of the book once you understand him. He's a tornado ripping a wasteland of hell through Verity's life because he wants her and she can’t leave him and even if she wanted to, well, that’s just too freakin’ bad sister (!). You don’t find this in today’s regencies. It reminded me of McNaught’s “Whitney, My Love” in some ways with that insane obsession that the hero has for the heroine and she wants nothing to do with him, or so she initially thinks. He’s similar in style to Anne Stuart’s gamma heroes from her Ice series for how cold he can be. Picture the total opposite of Julia’s Quinn’s happy go lucky Bridgertons and here you have an idea of how dark and foreboding this story is which is what makes it so fantastic.

As for the steam, well there’s sex right from the start and it’s everywhere as the novel progresses but that’s not necessarily what you really want to get to. It’s the raw emotional roller coaster with every sex act that tears you apart. You’d think that with sex from the onset it’d eventually start to get boring but you couldn’t be further from the truth. The frightening relationship between the h/h is what you want to see. Kylemore is psycho! He treats Verity like crap time and again and she keeps trying to escape. It’s not a love/hate story with arguing and fighting, it’s a captor/captive story where neither can be together nor apart but concessions are made and then …don’t want to give any spoilers now ;-)

I cried buckets and buckets of tears at the end because it just hit me like a cement wall. Keep the Kleenex on hand because come that last line you can’t help but fall apart.

I was practically dumbstruck, we’re talking mouth hanging open and saying OMG! OMG!, when I finished this book and it’s one of the very few that I wished wouldn’t end. Read this book if you want to feel some serious hate, love, sadness and finally, exquisite joy :)(less)

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Apr 09, 2009 Kathrynn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Kathrynn by: Eastofoz

Shelves: romance-historical, theme-hero_hard_to_like, own, 2009, reviewed

Felt Claiming the Courtesan had a lot of potential, but for me the lengthy narration between the dialogue and further explaining the character's behavior was just too much. Also felt the ending dragged out too long and grew tired of the "I'm leaving," "Please stay with me," angst that reared its ugly head--again.

The two characters were fine and both had a lot of growing to do in their journey(s) through this book. Justin had a lot to learn about life, love and women and he did well getting his a...more

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Jul 16, 2009 Rane rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: regency-romance-napoleonic-era

It's been quite some time since I read such a dark romance such as this one, both lead characters draw on your emotions tightly and didn't let go until the final page. At times the actions in this book were a hard pill to shallow, but nevertheless it kept you wanting and reading more.

Kylemore was one of those Alpha Males I detest the most, pushing and hurting others to have it their way, acting more of a caveman then a human being. Most of the time he was very shovel worthy to the point you wa...more It's been quite some time since I read such a dark romance such as this one, both lead characters draw on your emotions tightly and didn't let go until the final page. At times the actions in this book were a hard pill to shallow, but nevertheless it kept you wanting and reading more.

Kylemore was one of those Alpha Males I detest the most, pushing and hurting others to have it their way, acting more of a caveman then a human being. Most of the time he was very shovel worthy to the point you wanted to grab the nearest shovel and hit him over the head with it. But slowly you start to see the demons that haunt him, how they claw at his very soul and made him the man you first meet.

Verity was another trouble soul who gave up her life and body for the people she loved the most in the world. While many turn to sneer at this, you can’t help but be at awe at her and how she survived what most women would have killed themselves over. Verity kept her faith that one day she be free, and hid her truth self behind her other self: Soraya.

I was kinda leery picking this book up when I read of the abuse and rape of Verity at the hands of Kylemore, although not as graphic as another book I read, it still hit you in the gut making you want to turn away and keep reading at the same time. As the story unfolds more you start to see more of Kylemore and Verity true selves and they weren’t pretty, and just as you hated Kylemore you started to feel for him, his pain and his demons. Slowly you come to see Verity still hiding and blaming herself for her past.

Kylemore become just a man dealing with demons and slowly a man who started to redeemed himself in the face of a love he never knew he could feel. Verity finally accepted herself as she was and stop running away from her past and Kylemore. Two characters I couldn’t help but want to be happy after all they suffered through and was actually relieved when they finally told each other their feelings for one another.

This book may have been dark but through the hardships you could see the light at the end of the tunnel for Kylemore and Verity and was happy and pleased they found they’re way outta the darkness and each other.

Overall: one hellva a story that kept you on the edge but also went to show you that facing ones demons may be hard but if you have someone to love and whom loves you for all your faults on your side the light at the end of the tunnel is waiting for you... (less)

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Dec 06, 2010 Tammy Walton Grant rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: hr-regency, romance-dark-heroes, 2010-december, favorites, romance-noir, tropes-courtesan-mistress, tropes-abduction, romance-historical, tropes-revenge, i-freaking-loved-this

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. 4.5 stars

First I discovered Anne Stuart, and her unforgettable historical romance heroes. Dark, witty, urbane, cynical, sexy and sly. After meeting (and loving) a few of those men I was ready for Sebastian Verlaine, the tortured Viscount D'Aubrey(To Have and To Hold, Patricia Gaffney). Finally, I've been introduced to Justin Kinmurrie, Duke of Kylemore, the heir apparent to the 'Regency noir' throne.

What a man. What a story.

I first read this book in virtually one sitting. Wonderful book, I thoug...more

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Mar 10, 2009 Fani rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: people who want to see how Stockholm Syndrome works

Shelves: romance-historical, 2009-purchase, hero-is-cold-or-rough, hero-is-besotted, abduction-amnesia, emotional, waste-of-time, from-opposite-tracks, hero-i-disliked, heroine-is-stupid, hero-is-ruthless, boddice-ripper-oldish, controversial-theme-or-act, hero-i-cant-forgive, hero-is-jealous-possessive, as-alpha-as-it-gets, hero-is-tortured, he-did-a-bad-bad-thing, paperbacks-read, hero-is-controlling, hero-is-stalkerific, hero-is-asshat, me-tarzan-you-jane, hero-falls-in-love-first, heroine-is-feisty, heroes-hall-of-shame

Before people berate me for rating it with 1 star, I have to say I reached p. 250 before I finally admitted defeat. I just couldn't like the hero and the plot no matter what. I hoped that at some point he might redeem himself, but after 2/3 of the book, I had to give up since at that point the heroine started annoying me as much as the hero. Simply put, he's a kidnapper and a rapist. And no, the fact that deep down she wants him too, even though it takes her 3 or 4 tumbles to realize it, doesn't...more

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Apr 10, 2010 Anne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2010, trashy-romance-novel

I had to think about this one for a little while before I could review it. Whew! Now, I went into this book with fair warning from several of my Goodreads friends, so I really can't complain that I was shocked by anything that happened. I gotta say, though, I felt a little dirty when I was done reading. And not 'dirty' in a good way either. The worst part about the whole experience was how much I liked most of the story...which probably contributed to my questioning whether or not I needed to im...more I had to think about this one for a little while before I could review it. Whew! Now, I went into this book with fair warning from several of my Goodreads friends, so I really can't complain that I was shocked by anything that happened. I gotta say, though, I felt a little dirty when I was done reading. And not 'dirty' in a good way either. The worst part about the whole experience was how much I liked most of the story...which probably contributed to my questioning whether or not I needed to immediately seek counseling. At any rate, I don't feel the least bit bad for this spoiler.
Ok, the whole story is about this arrogant duke (Klyemore) who kidnaps his mistress (Verity) when she tries to leave him, and her life as a prostitute, behind her. If you've read a few historical romance novels you'll be pretty familiar with the 'Hero Kidnaps the Heroine' theme. Usually, underneath it all, the guy is a gentlemen and the girl is never in any real danger. However, that is definitely not the case in Ms. Campbell's book. Kylemore not only threatens to rape Verity, but he actually does it! No, I'm not kidding. As in, he forces himself on her, and afterward she goes to wash herself off and cry. Yeah, yeah, there is this part written in there about how 'her body betrays her' and she enjoys herself, but it still didn't make it right. I don't care if she had Niagra Falls running down her legs, SHE SAID NO.
I've actually heard that there are two different versions of this book. One with the rape scenes in it, and one without. Well, let me be the first to recommend that you shop around and find the version without. Like I said, I enjoyed the story, and if it hadn't had the felony scenes in there I would have rated it much higher. In fact, I'm basing my three star rating on the idea that I would have been able to enjoy this second version, and not have needed to shower afterward. See, I'm ok with him being a love-sick stalker/psycho kidnapper, just not a rapist. That's normal...right? Right?? *crickets chirping* Ahem.
I know that a lot of people who've read this have said that you have to realize that Kylemore is a victim, too. He had a tortured childhood, with a crazy father and an evil mother...yadda, yadda, yadda. And I did (God help me) feel sorry for him. Just not enough. There are thousands of abusers out there right now, who were once victims themselves. And while I feel sorry for the child they used to be, I firmly believe that were are all given a choice in our actions as adults. So, toward the end of the story, when Verity admits her feelings of love toward Kylemore, I couldn't really get behind it. I took a step back, inhaled, and caught a whiff of something that smelled a lot like Stockholm Syndrome.

Hmmm. Guess I have to write a slight revision to this review. Some of my lovely friends have just informed me that this particular book does NOT have a second version. Evidentally, I am thinking of another book whose rape scene was toned down in a reprint. Lovely.(less)

13 likes · like · see review

Apr 30, 2010 Maureen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: forced-encounter, own-it, 2

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

5 likes · like · see review

Jul 02, 2011 .þµŋψà. [Punya Reviews...] rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: anna-campbell, oh-honey-shag-me-silly, highlander-scot

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...

I’m not a huge fan of courtesan/mistress novels but I’ve read a few and liked most of them, credit goes to the respective authors of those books. When I started this book, reading all the reviews, both positive and negative, I didn’t know what to think but I was so curious, I thought I have to see what’s going on. And, I’m glad that I did. Claiming the Courtesan is my first Anna Campbell book and have to say, sh...more

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Dec 16, 2010 Karolina rated it 3 of 5 stars

I have no idea even how to start my review of Claiming the Courtesan simply because now - a week or so after i finished it - i still cant really come to terms with my own opinion of the book.And since thats not my first book by Anna Campbell you have to understand my confusion (i first read Untouched which is simlpy amazing) - I actually expected the book to be a lot more like Untouched but no, the two books have almost nothing in common except maybe the fact that in both the hero has some "iss...more

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Mar 21, 2009 Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: angsty-read, alpha-hero, antihero, captive-kidnapped, courtesan-prostitute-mistress, scary-sexy-cool-dangerous-hero, favorites, flawed-hero, historical-romance, hot-and-steamy-romance, owned-copy, regency, stalkerific-hero, noir-romance

I must admit I am not a fan of the courtesan/prostitute heroine because I dislike the idea of a woman having to sell her body for survival. For that reason, I did not read this book right away, although I was very intrigued by the storyline of a hero who would do just about anything to keep his heroine. I read some scenes from it at the bookstore, trying to decide if I was "ready" to read it, and I couldn't stop thinking about story and how good the writing was. Finally, I decided I had to read...more I must admit I am not a fan of the courtesan/prostitute heroine because I dislike the idea of a woman having to sell her body for survival. For that reason, I did not read this book right away, although I was very intrigued by the storyline of a hero who would do just about anything to keep his heroine. I read some scenes from it at the bookstore, trying to decide if I was "ready" to read it, and I couldn't stop thinking about story and how good the writing was. Finally, I decided I had to read it and I read it within a few days of buying it.

This book is one of the best historicals I have ever read. It was intense, it was well-written, it had believable characters who made real choices, good or bad. And at the heart I think it did have a really good love story. Not the sweet and light kind, but a love story all the same. I have championed this book and I have tried to explain why Kylemore isn't a bad man. He's not an emotionally healthy man. And he does some things that are not right, namely forcing Soraya to have sex with him after he kidnaps her, not to mention kidnapping her in the first place. I would never defend or excuse that behavior. But reading the book, you can understand what his motivations are. He is completely desperate at the thought of losing her. Yes, he's like a child who has a toy taken away from him, on one level. But I believe that he is motivated by a deep, obsessive love for her. I find myself very intrigued by obsessive heroes. I don't know why because that would be really scary in real life, but I do like it in romance novels. I love when the hero truly cannot exist without the heroine.

Kylemore somehow found his way into my heart. I did find him to be a sympathetic, albeit flawed hero. There were aspects about him that I did like, such as his devotion in his own way to Soraya. He waited for Soraya for years when she was with another protector. As far I as I recall, he didn't even take another lover in that time. When he had her as his mistress, he compartmentalized their time together, making it seem that it was not as important as it was. But deep down, I believe being with her was the highlight of his existence. Also, he was going to ask Soraya to marry him. Dukes did not marry their mistresses. It just wasn't done. They had their mistresses but married virgins or respectble widows, and the two aspects of their existences didn't meet. Yes he told himself it was to anger his mother, but I believe it was because he genuinely loved Soraya and wanted to make a life with her.

So, viewing his actions in light of the facts given, I do believe that his behavior was not completely rational. His kidnapping and captivity of her was done from a knee-jerk, emotional level that wasn't ruled by logic and negated right and wrong. Not excusable, but definitely actions I could understand in light of what motivated Kylemore. There was also an aspect of knowing that as a powerful duke, he shouldn't have to be told no or be denied anything he wanted. That is the part I didn't like.

The scenes where they struggle against each other physically, mentally, and emotionally were riveting, and I didn't even want to put the book down for a minute. I was drawn in and I knew I had rarely if ever read a romance novel with this degree of complexity of relationships. In some ways it was hard to watch how Kylemore scared Verity and wore her down. At some points I wondered if he would drive her to insanity. That was painful to read. She deserved better. I wanted to tell him, "If you're trying to get this woman to stay with you and love you, you're going about it the wrong way." But Kylemore was raised by a very evil woman, his mother. How would a man raised in that environment know how to give or receive love? You could not expect that of him, considering his background.

Truly Verity was the more emotionally stable and well-adjusted of this pair. I really liked how Ms. Campbell really plays with society's concepts of morality in both this book and in Tempt the Devil, having the courtesan be the more virtous and more respectable and laudable of the pair. And truly in my mind they are (in most cases).

Back in this time period, there was no such thing as equality between the sexes. Women were property and chattel. Women's choices were extremely limited. Men had the power and they had the choice to have sex with women according to their wishes and wants. Women had to submit in various ways, either as wife or mistress. I can see that this dynamic is played out in this novel. Verity had to become a courtesan out of survival, and she did it until she was financially secure. I found it repugnant that her first protector was an older man who made her an offer to become his mistress at the young age of fifteen, and he felt that that was the right way to save her from a harrowing situation. If he really wanted to help her, he could have placed her in a safe situation and helped her to get a living that wasn't prostitution, or at least waited until she was older. But he saw how incredibly beautiful she was and wanted her. Thus his motives were selfish and although Verity now had some protection, he sent her into the life of a demimondaine.

Verity/Soraya accepted her position as a courtesan and made the best of it, but it wasn't the life she wanted. When Kylemore made her an offer, it was business, pure and simple. She could not make the mistake of getting her heart involved. She didn't expect Kylemore to be emotionally involved either. When their two year contract was up, she had achieved the means for financial security. There was no reason to continue in that life. By leaving Kylemore, she could close her life on one chapter and start another. I want to reread this book to study again how the wall broke down and Verity was able to love Kylemore. I think that this part is probably one of the most important elements, because knowing that she accepts and loves him doesn't make what he did okay, but at least you can hope that they will have a hopeful future together and that there can be some emotional healing for both of them.

Words fail me to express why I loved this book so much.I just did. It's not for the faint of heart reader who wants a happy-go-lucky rakish hero who wouldn't ever consider harming a woman or doing anything she didn't consent to. But for a reader who is willing to put aside her list of what a hero does and doesn't do and read this book and evaluate Kylemore as an individual, I believe that this reader may find that there are untapped depths to this book that make it a fascinating and enjoyable read.(less)

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Jun 12, 2009 Holly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

This was a fascinating book. It was truly fascinating and yet so depressing. It's quiet and moody and well, romance noir. The aliented, doomed hero and the femme fatale. Corruption, madness, and moral breakdown. It's all here. And it's sometimes hard to read.

Claiming The Courtesan starts with the incomparable beauty Soraya and her protector the Duke of Kylemore, Justin Kinmurrie enjoying a postcoital glow. All is right with Kylemore's world, he possesses the mistress that is the envy of the ton...more This was a fascinating book. It was truly fascinating and yet so depressing. It's quiet and moody and well, romance noir. The aliented, doomed hero and the femme fatale. Corruption, madness, and moral breakdown. It's all here. And it's sometimes hard to read.

Claiming The Courtesan starts with the incomparable beauty Soraya and her protector the Duke of Kylemore, Justin Kinmurrie enjoying a postcoital glow. All is right with Kylemore's world, he possesses the mistress that is the envy of the ton and he's decided upon the perfect revenge against his interfering witch of a mother. Marriage to the courtesan, Soraya. What he doesn't know is that Soraya has been planning her escape of him and is in fact going to leave him within a fortnight. Enraged and humiliated, he tracks her down three months later and by gunpoint, kidnaps her and drags her to his tumbledown hunting box deep in the Scottish Highlands. He's determined to break her indomitable will and force her to acknowledge him as her master, her lover and eventually, her husband. He doesn't know that beneath Soraya's silken sensuality and urbane sophistication lies Verity, the woman underneath the courtesan facade, and Verity has a core of steel that refuses to bow down to his demands. Her refusals to accept him threatens to break Kylemore's tenuous hold on his sanity and his methods of ensuring her obedience grows desperate. She must submit to him. She must love him, because if she does not, the madness that lurks within the Kinmurrie blood could overtake him and then all he holds dear will be lost.

Kylemore has the requisite tortured childhood and the type of evil mother that has ruined many a good man. He knows the threat of insanity that lies dormant in his family blood because he watched his father go down that path and to this day, it terrifies him. The only thing that stands bastion against his fears is knowing he has his Soraya by his side. When she leaves he is desperate to get her back. While he is desperate, I wouldn't call Kylemore pathetic. Anna Campbell, IMO, straddles that line well and as such, makes him a man who can be redeemed. He knows that what he is doing to Verity, the woman, is wrong. He literally can't help himself. He needs her. He needs her to keep the demons away and save him from himself. While that need and love battles back and forth from obsession and dependence he will eventually stand on his own two feet. To see him do that at the end of the book was, well, for lack of a better word, fascinating. I applauded his ability to shake off the shackles of his parents and realize that despite the ever present threat of insanity, he can rise above it and be a better man. In all honesty, I don't believe there was an actual insanity gene in his bloodline, more like a debilitating capacity for horrifying self indulgence. With Verity removing herself from Kylemore's grasp/toybox, he at first reacts with childish fury. How dare she steal herself away from him, he thinks. When she stood up to him, she forced him to realize that his needs and wants can't always come first. He might have wanted to strip away the strictures of his dukedom, but he liked the power. When he comes to terms with that and realizes that Verity is a person, he can allow himself to step back a little, and learn to love the woman.

Soraya/Verity was I thought, worse off than Kylemore. At least he knew he had problems, she didn't. She was forced to create the courtesan Soraya out of need and desperation and over the years she completely split herself in two. Soraya, who could do anything or be anything and Verity, who remained clean and untouched. When Verity leaves Soraya behind she thinks to immerse herself in good works and live a celibate and demure existence. While I completely sympathize with her anger and frustration at being dragged back to Kylemore I think he ultimately did her a favor, because she needed to come to grips with both sides of her personality and meld them into one person.

In my opinion Kylemore raped Verity. Repeatedly. While I understand his confusion in Verity's claims that she was not Soraya, I still believe what he did to her constitutes rape and humiliation. The journey from Yorkshire into the Highlands was meant to break her will and he nearly succeeds. He holds the threat of her rape over her head the entire time and when he finally comes to her, she tells him plainly and in an unequivocal manner, no. She does not want him to touch her. In fact, she's practically exhausted herself with fear. He ignores her wants and desires and forces himself on her anyway. It is part desire on his part and part punishment. I hated Kylemore in those scenes. Anna Campbell doesn't stop at one scene, however. Kylemore comes back for more, night after night. She tries to run away from him repeatedly, into the deadly wilderness of the Highlands but he just drags her back. Whether or not he knows enough about her body to make her respond to him is irrelevant, he forced her to engage in sexual acts not of her choosing.

Once all the inner emotional turmoil is dispensed with however, their sex turns into lovemaking. Verity realizes she has always been fascinated by the duke and once she comes to terms with the fact she can be both Verity and Soraya, both the Madonna and the whore, she acknowledges to herself at least that she loves him. She refuses to be deserted by him though and have her heart broken, so when he asks her to marry him again she refuses. She won't make him a laughingstock and a pariah and neither will she do that to herself. This is when Kylemore realizes she is sincere and whole and that there is nothing more he can do but challenge her as she challenged him.

After all this exhausting angst and inner turmoil, Claiming the Courtesan delves back into familiar romance territory with the damsel in distress and the rescuing hero on horseback and then the requisite groveling scene. While it's still dark as hell, this is actually a relief!

What I'm trying to say with this exhaustive review is that Claiming the Courtesan was a fascinating read, but I wouldn't want to read it again. Too exhausting, too depressing and too full of emotional inner turmoil. This is not a romance to be swept away in, nor is it a book full of humor and love. It's full of everyday people and problems hiding behind a mask of Regency glitter and titles. This is not a pretty story and in actuality gets down right ugly at times. It's a grotesque gothic horror that leaves you feeling stunned and awed. If ever two people deserved a happily ever after, it was these two.(less)

12 likes · like · see review

Jan 02, 2009 Sheree rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, reviews, read-in-2008, aussie-author

4.5 stars
Claiming the Courtesan is no fluffy romance. It centres on Justin, The Duke of Kylemore and Soraya one of London's most celebrated courtesans. Atypical characters, ones that make for a complex and sometimes dark read (which I do enjoy).
Kylemore has spent the past year enjoying the fruits of a five-year pursuit of Soraya aka Verity Ashton but things get twisted when Verity completes her contractual obligations with Kylemore and tries to put her life as a courtesan behind her.

There is a r...more

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Jun 29, 2008 Cam rated it 4 of 5 stars

Normally I dislike reading about courtesans, but this one is quite good. Though not everyone's cup of tea, it's a battle of egos. The lead female is strong, feisty and comfortable in her own skin whereas the hero is arrogant, stubborn (very) and is used to getting what he wants when he wants it, very much what we call an ' alpha' male.

Though some sexual encounters could be considered rape -it's a matter of opinion- I enjoyed the plot immensely, slightly confused by the turnabout of both hero and...more

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Oct 11, 2008 Rachie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, historical, own

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 14, 2009 Pat Cromwell rated it 4 of 5 stars

I don't generally read historicals but this book was came highly recommended by a fellow reader on an Amazon thread. I am intrigue by the strong Alpha hero and Claiming the Courtesan's Lord Klyemore fit the bill. I think he's highly misunderstood by some readers. I look for the single most influencial motivating factor that makes a strong ccomplicated alpha hero tick and Anna Campbell provided it to me elegantly. He is a very complex character if you look closely enough and his "Soroya" was the...more

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Jun 06, 2009 Adrienne rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: lovers of true gothic romance

Shelves: nc-r

i don't think there's anything i can say about this story that hasn't already been said::i feel as though i've been on an epic emotional journey with kylemore and soraya/verity::both have emotional scars::and neither have known love::one by choice::the other b/c no-one cared to give it them::i read the story for most of time from kylemores point of view::his struggle with the loss of the woman he loved (although at that time i believe he did not understand the emotion he felt was love) which in...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Christy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance-meetup, own-it-book

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. December

I liked this more than I had any right to. In real life, any woman should run far, far away from a man like this, but in this book, he sort of worked. I would have found it a little more palatable if we had been privy to a more of his internal thoughts about how he'd had her hundreds of times already, how could she object now. I can almost sort of imagine that as a way to make it not-rape in his mind. Otherwise, it's tough to get over that.

But aside from that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you l...more

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Jun 19, 2012 Shabby Girl added it

Shelves: dnf

I didn't give this a rating as I DNF. I knew going into it it was possibly not going to work for me as I dislike the courtesan theme to start with, but I thought I'd give it a go as it's supposed to be pretty angsty, which I do like.

Strangely enough it wasn't necessarily the courtesan theme that really turned me off, although it sure didn't help ... it was the fact that the book began a year after the H and h had come together as courtesan and client that did me in. I couldn't get past the fact...more I didn't give this a rating as I DNF. I knew going into it it was possibly not going to work for me as I dislike the courtesan theme to start with, but I thought I'd give it a go as it's supposed to be pretty angsty, which I do like.

Strangely enough it wasn't necessarily the courtesan theme that really turned me off, although it sure didn't help ... it was the fact that the book began a year after the H and h had come together as courtesan and client that did me in. I couldn't get past the fact that they'd been interacting and had a sexual relationship for a whole year before we started the book.

Obviously in a lot of books the H and h have met and known each other for different periods of time before a book begins and that wasn't the problem ... it was that they'd been sleeping together for a whole year and both didn't know each other at all and had no love or lust connection. I like the getting to know you part of a romance with the building sexual tension, but this didn't feel like romance at all.

I read past where he'd kidnapped her and I just didn't find the whole thing romantic in any sense. I kind of felt a bit repelled, actually, even though when I find a kidnap/capture book it usually finds it's way to the top of my TBR pile. That's actually probably why I tried to give this book a go as I love that theme. I don't know ... this one just felt weird and wrong. It's not even like an erotic kidnap/capture book as there didn't seem to be any real lust involved ... it was more like he was pissed because he couldn't control her and even after sleeping with the H for a year, the h had no feelings for him at all, no love, no lust. In fact, she just wanted to get away from him.

The H was basically a stalker with mental issues, I thought. I found him pretty creepy and cold and in the end I just couldn't get into the book.

ETA: I just read Tammy's review, who loved this book, and I kinda feel a bit shallow because I missed all that. Oh, well, it still doesn't make me want to finish reading or like this book! He's still a stalking, nutbag kidnapper who should be in gaol. (less)

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Aug 27, 2012 Zeek rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: own

I've had this one in my TBR pile and today decided it was time to clear it from list.

Honestly I tried it before and though I was extremely intrigued by the heroine, I quickly realized I was going to have invest a little more time in the hero than a cursory glance. SO I put the book down until that time.

I gave him more time today and unfortunately, he's still an asswipe- not a tool, not a douchebag an ass. wipe.

Dont get me wrong, you who have read a review or two by me before know that I am mor...more

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May 28, 2010 Adwina Ralston Cumberbatch rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reread-more-than-once, steamy-hot-romance, historical-romance, crying-out-loud, spitfire-heroines

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

Feb 24, 2009 Jen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned, read-in-2009, historical-romance

I've known about Anna Campbell's work for a while now since she's a local writer and hence receives more fanfare and accolades than most 'round these parts, but I wasn't particularly interested until I read a feature article in the Good Weekend in the Herald Sun a couple weeks back promoting the ARRC here in Melbourne.

This book is really well written (in terms of syntax and sensibility of the time period, I mean. No "OKs" or "Yeahs" or other modern terms carelessly slipped in here!) which is a b...more

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Nov 21, 2012 Jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 17, 2008 Kit rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 11, 2012 Book Review Diva rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historicalromance

“Claiming The Courtesan” by Anna Campbell

Verity is a well known courtesan that is every man's dream girl. She goes by the alias Soraya. She is about to end her one year contract with a prestigious Duke from London and enter into a long overdue retirement. She has no intention on telling the Duke of Kylemore about her retirement, and where she is planning to retire. Little does Verity know that this is about to erupt a volcano of anger in the Duke, he will do anything to keep his mistress from l...more

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Apr 08, 2013 Dangermousie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: aaangst, horrible-childhood-of-h-h, hurt-comfort, romance, period-romance

Underneath the seemingly icy exterior of the Duke of Kylemore lies one all-encompassing obsession - that for his exotic, expensive mistress Soraya. Too bad then that Soraya is really Verity Ashton, who has finally earned enough money through her courtesan lifestyle to retire to the life of respectability and leave the Duke behind. Only once 'Soraya' vanishes into thin air, the Duke goes a bit mad and hunts her down.

Ummmm. Ummmmm. Oh, Anna Campbell, what am I going to do with you? You wrote one...more

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Mar 17, 2012 Felita rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, adult

buku karangan Anne Campbell yg ini menurutku satu bintang lbh bagus dari Untouchable.

bercerita seorang wanita penghibur, Verity, yg berniat pensiun dari kerjaannya menjadi gundik seorang Lord muda tampan dan kaya, Kylemore. pilihan itu batal krn ternyata kylemore tidak mau melepaskan verity, bahkan memintanya menjadi duchessnya. karena verity menolak, karena kylemore telah terlanjur jatuh cinta setengah mati terhadap verity, kylemore pun menculik verity ke kastilnya yg terpencil untuk membujuk v...more

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Aug 19, 2011 Julia rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, historical, australian-author, not-my-cup-of-tea

I'd just like to emphasise up front that a Goodreads 1 Star is a subjective "I didn't like it" and is no indication of objective writing quality.

The writing in this book was excellent. Right from the very start I was absolutely interested in what was going to happen. The characters were all richly drawn and intriguing.

Then we come to the controversial part.

(view spoiler)...more

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About Anna Campbell

I've always been a voracious reader! I write Regency historical romance for Grand Central Publishing and Avon. My multi award-winning books include CLAIMING THE COURTESAN, UNTOUCHED, TEMPT THE DEVIL, CAPTIVE OF SIN, MY RECKLESS SURRENDER and MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION.

My latest release is SEVEN NIGHTS IN A ROGUE'S BED from Grand Central. It's a gothic take on Beauty and the Beast and the beginning o...more

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Quotes from Claiming the Courtesan

“I want you to want me the way I want you. I want you to come to me and tell me that. Then I want you to show me it’s true.
- Duke Kylemore to Verity Ashton -” — 6 people liked it

“Verity, you have a choice,” he said gently. “We eat, we talk, we pass the evening with an attempt at civility. Or we fuck. It’s up to you.” — 5 people liked it

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